Millipore becomes part of Merck KGaA

Millipore’s takeover by the Merck KGaA has been completed, with the science firm set to become a subsidiary of the German chemical company.

The 5.2 billion euro (4.4 billion pounds) acquisition deal has been finalised following approval by Millipore shareholders, with the firm now set to be rebranded as Merck Millipore.

Its services will encompass bioscience, lab solutions and process solutions sector activities and will offer products for pharmaceutical companies, life scientists and academic institutions.

Meanwhile, the new-look company’s management team will be made up of executives from both Merck KGaA and Millipore, with Dr Bernd Reckmann replacing current Millipore chief executive officer Martin Madaus as head of the firm.

Dr Reckmann said: “Both Merck Chemicals and Millipore have a long and proud history of providing superior products and solutions to their partners in the life science sector.”

According to Millipore’s last financial report, the business saw a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in revenues in the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal year.